New TSA Rules for flying into US

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Should not have all the hoops as you are leaving the US, but if you are AC they are keeping things pretty tight and might not be too fun for you.

I would assume none at the gate as I think it is only flights TO the US that have the pat-down at the gate, but things are so up in the air I might assume nothing.

Have a safe and relatively easy flight home.

Thank you and for the record were flying WestJet.

 

[photomama]

Thank you and for the record were flying WestJet.

I would plan on delays, our Westjet flight was coming from Florida and was quite delayed. Read my post above..

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would plan on delays, our Westjet flight was coming from Florida and was quite delayed. Read my post above..

Well all I can say is hopefully we will have better luck, but all my family and I can do is arrive at the Tampa Airport early enough and hope all goes well on our end until our flight arrives there.

 

[dennise]

That also means that if we check our carry on we will be charged for another bag with most airlines. I guess that means it will be more expensive to fly.:

 

[angela1044]

Here are links to the details of what you can take and can't take in case anyone is wondering.

Traveling from Canada to the US

http://www.gtaa.com/en/news/torontopearson_today/details/712fdb8f-eea6-428b-883d-0a4a379dc48c

Traveling in the US

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/dec25_guidance.shtm

Thankfully we are flying out of Buffalo so things should be a little easier. Plus, I'm sure things will settle down a bit by the time we leave in February. Right now, I can imagine it's pretty crazy.

 

[pxlbarrel]

That also means that if we check our carry on we will be charged for another bag with most airlines. I guess that means it will be more expensive to fly.:

I believe Air Canada has said that they're going to waive charging of the 2nd AND 3rd bags because of the no-carry on rule... at least for now.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

That also means that if we check our carry on we will be charged for another bag with most airlines. I guess that means it will be more expensive to fly.:

WestJet & AC have both waived their additional baggage fees, but I do not think the US carriers have.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

I know TC is putting that rule in place because they're short staffed and it's time consuming to check every carry on bag. But don't they realize that people put emergency clothing in carry ons in case luggage gets lost or delayed. I also can't imagine having to check camera gear. That would be a nightmare.

I know what u mean, we put a change of clothes in for the kids incase there is an accident of some sort.

 

[Sue M]

Soooooo glad now that we are making the drive down to Seattle to fly. It's worth it for the 3 hr drive and overnight hotel.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was thinking today while I understand the need for all the extra security screening and questions at US Customs in the various Canadian Airports, does anyone think it's going a bit to far? I mean if it's going to take 4 - 5 hours to complete all that then no one will want to fly from Canada to the United States. In 2001 when Richard Reid tried to light that bomb in his shoe he was flying from Paris to Miami and we all know during the most recent attempt it was another flight from Europe to the United States. So shouldn't there be extra security in the Airports across Europe since no one has tried this when going through any of the Airports in Canada.

 

[Sue M]

I think it's a bit of a knee jerk reaction myself. I think or hope they will find some better solutions that work.
And not being allowed carry on? yikes. Sorry, but I just don't like showing up at a destination with only a small purse. If airlines handled luggage better(less rough) and there weren't thefts, and our luggage actually arrived at the same time we did, there wouldn't be as big a need for carry on.
I sat at a gate watching the luggage truck drive up to the aircraft, with luggage flying out the sides of the truck onto the ground. I went up to gate agent and told her that the truck was loosing luggage, and she said to me, don't worry, there will be another truck along to pick up the fallen pieces

I always put breakable objects in carry on-hair dryer, DVD player, camera,
and a change of clothes, bathing suit, and jammies, for all the times I don't get my luggage when I arrive!

Will not fly from Canada if i can help it. The drive to Seattle is only 3 hrs for me. Cheaper too!

 

[fan1080]

I was thinking today while I understand the need for all the extra security screening and questions at US Customs in the various Canadian Airports, does anyone think it's going a bit to far? I mean if it's going to take 4 - 5 hours to complete all that then no one will want to fly from Canada to the United States. In 2001 when Richard Reid tried to light that bomb in his shoe he was flying from Paris to Miami and we all know during the most recent attempt it was another flight from Europe to the United States. So shouldn't there be extra security in the Airports across Europe since no one has tried this when going through any of the Airports in Canada.

Despite what many people believe, terrorists are not idiots. If there is a weak spot in security, they will find it and use it to their benefit.

 

[Cdn Gal]

This also means for us that I won't be using my airmiles for flights to the US b/c there is no way that I want to stay on board for an extra hour. I bet that there will be more Cdns that drive across now. Hmmm, if I can figure this out, that probably means a terrorist will be able to figure it out too. I wonder if travel within the States is going to be beefed up too?

 

[pxlbarrel]

Up until now I was loathe to drive down to Florida, mainly because I'm usually the only driver and driving that long will have us ending up in a ditch somewhere cause I've fallen asleep.

However, with all this mess, it's got me thinking that next time, we'll just make a road trip out of it and I'll have to learn to tolerate somebody else driving my car when I want to rest.

But then again, THAT's MY knee jerk reaction to this. LOL

I'm just glad I flew the week before Christmas now.

 

[Sue M]

This also means for us that I won't be using my airmiles for flights to the US b/c there is no way that I want to stay on board for an extra hour. I bet that there will be more Cdns that drive across now. Hmmm, if I can figure this out, that probably means a terrorist will be able to figure it out too. I wonder if travel within the States is going to be beefed up too?

We are flying SW, in 3 weeks, I just phoned them yesterday, and so far they haven't any different restrictions then they had before. Still allowed same carry on, etc.

 

[OntFamily]

I was thinking today while I understand the need for all the extra security screening and questions at US Customs in the various Canadian Airports, does anyone think it's going a bit to far? I mean if it's going to take 4 - 5 hours to complete all that then no one will want to fly from Canada to the United States. In 2001 when Richard Reid tried to light that bomb in his shoe he was flying from Paris to Miami and we all know during the most recent attempt it was another flight from Europe to the United States. So shouldn't there be extra security in the Airports across Europe since no one has tried this when going through any of the Airports in Canada.

The new security restrictions are not only on flights from Canada to the USA. They are for all flights flying into the USA from any country, including European countries.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Apparently the new flight restrictions have been lifted - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/28/national/main6030609.shtml?tag=stack

 

[pampam]

It will be interesting to see how other news media report it. This article seemed to say the pilot lifted the restrictions, not the government agencies.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Apparently the new flight restrictions have been lifted - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/28/national/main6030609.shtml?tag=stack

That news is actually a few days old now. The restrictions on carry on luggage still remains for Canadians flying into the U.S. as of this morning.

 

[tiggerrr]

The new security restrictions are not only on flights from Canada to the USA. They are for all flights flying into the USA from any country, including European countries.

But the ban on carry-on is a Canada-only situation. The TSA has not banned carry on luggage for flights into the USA. European travellers can still take carry on baggage. What is required is a hand search of all carry on bags for passengers flying to the US.

Canada has chosen to handle this by banning carry on bags to speed up the time it takes to get everyone through security and on board. Other countries/airlines are choosing to do the hand search instead. United Airlines probably shows the differences best.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53307,00.html

Other Links
http://news.beatthebrochure.com/Transatlantic-Flights-Face-Extra-Security-Checks-2009122817352439.html

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/flightops/public/en_gb?p_faqid=3939